Man killed in horror midnight crash in Milperra brings road death toll to 235

THE state’s road toll has reached 235 deaths so far this year, prompting police to begin a two-week safety blitz. Meanwhile, another driver died on our roads last night.

THE state’s road toll has reached a devastating 235 deaths so far this year, prompting police to begin a two-week blitz on fatigued drivers from Monday.

Assistant police commissioner John Hartley announced the operation this morning, just hours after the state’s most recent tragedy - a 20 year old man died when his black Honda Accord slammed into a tree in Milperra overnight.

“It’s a good reminder for us about driving safely on our roads,” Mr Hartley said.

The number of deaths on NSW roads is up 35 on the same period last year, with fatigue identified alone up by 65 per cent.

There have been 75 fatalities in the last year because someone was driving tired.

The accident happened on Henry Lawson Drive just after midnight. Picture: Bill Hearne

Mr Hartley has instructed highway patrol officers across the state to speak to drivers about fatigue every time they pull someone over for an RBT.

“If you don’t realize the factors of tiredness you may crash and kill yours rely or someone else”

“People don’t think they’re tired, they think they can reach the next town, think they can drive further and further,” he said.

“If you don’t realize the factors of tiredness you may crash and kill yours rely or someone else.

“So look at the signs and dont’ drive if you’re tired, that’s personal responsibility.”

Half the nation’s road deaths are in Sydney.

Roads Minister Duncan Gay said the risk was not only on long-haul drives.

“It’s not just about people loading up the family, the cats, the dogs, the surfboards and driving 13 hours to a holiday destination,” Mr Gay said.

“It’s more likely than not that it’s someone in an urban environment.

“It’s people that have worked, gone out, done more work then driven home.

“If you’ve driven or been awake for 17 hours then that’s the same as as being over the limit with alcohol.”

Speed was still the single biggest killer on our roads, being attributed to 164 deaths in the past year.

The state government has poured $400,000 from its roads budget into the campaign, to fund advertising and more police.

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